AceShowbiz - The Recording Academy has scrapped plans to celebrate the 2022 Grammy Awards later this month. In a joint statement, the organizer and CBS announced that the 64th annual ceremony is officially put on hold due to rising COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant concerns.

"After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners, the Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards Show," the statement read. "The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience, and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority."

"Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks," the message added. "We look forward to celebrating Music's Biggest Night on a future date, which will be announced soon."

The announcement came just a few days after sources told Billboard that the Recording Academy officials were "likely" to delay this year's ceremony because of the same reason. The event itself was slated to be held at the Crypto.com Arena, formerly the Staples Center, in Los Angeles with Trevor Noah serving as a host once again.

The Recording Academy also hasn't revealed the new dates for other events. They included the MusiCares gala, set for January 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Clive Davis and the Recording Academy's Pre-Grammy Gala, set for January 30 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Last year's Grammy Awards were also postponed. The officials moved the 63rd annual event from January to March 14, 2021 due to "the deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles" at that time. The show ultimately took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center with a smaller in-person audience.